The Power of Breath and How it can Help You to Manage Your Anxiety

If this last year has taught us anything, it’s how important it is to take time for yourself, to take care of your emotional and mental health, because it matters. 

When we neglect our these things it can have a ripple effect when it comes to your overall state of wellbeing.

Breathing can be an incredible tool to use to help soothe your mind and life stresses, different emotions whether it be anxiety, grief, looniness, the power of breath can really help. 

Controlled breathing practice, also known as breath work can be so powerful for those under acute stress. Breathing, is something that’s truly taken for granted. Its such a powerful resource thats literally free and can be done anywhere at any time! Its a privilege to be breathing right now!

So let’s explain a little more on what breath work is

It’s known as an active form of meditation used by its practitioners as a tool to help assist people to process, feel and work through traumas and emotions. 

Yoga and Meditation both use breath work as a foundation to their practices. 

Becoming aware of your breath, your inhales and exhales is considered breath work. When we learn to slow our breathing down we are in fact able to slow down the nervous system. 

It helps us to ease stress and clear the mind. 

As you practice breathing techniques you learn to connect more and listen to the body, which helps to restore the nervous system from things like burn out, exhaustion and every day stresses.

How to get started with breath work

Find a comfortable and quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted. 

You may listen to music to help you calm the mind, its just about finding something that helps you to focus on your breath and relax. 

Most professional breath work teachers suggest spending some time in the active breathing exercise with some time put aside at the end of it to take note on what you may have experienced whilst practicing. 

With the breath work putting you into a meditative state it can often bring about clarity and grounding. 

Studies suggest that people who breathe deep into their bellies are often far less stressed than those who breathe into their chest.

Try this practical exercise 

Inhale for a count of 4

Hold your breath for 6 seconds 

Exhale for a count of 8

Don’t rush this practice, spend time sitting in this practice, breathing and feeling, It would be great to find a way to make it part of your regular daily or weekly routine.